Journalists play vital role in strengthening democracy, says Senator Talha Mahmood
By Khalid Shaikh
ISLAMABAD: Journalists play a vital role in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting truth
and highlighting public issues, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood said on Thursday.
He was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the All Pakistan Newspapers and Electronic Media Employees Confederation (APNEC), Gilgit-Baltistan Chapter, held at the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad.
Senator Talha Mahmood, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil, and Principal Information Officer Raeesa Adil attended the ceremony as guests of honour.
Senator Mahmood administered the oath to the newly elected office-bearers of APNEC’s Gilgit-Baltistan chapter.
Addressing the gathering, the senator said journalists were an important part of society, playing a crucial role in promoting truth, identifying public grievances and strengthening democratic values. He stressed that their professional contributions must be recognised and their rights protected.
He said addressing the challenges faced by journalists and media workers, particularly regarding job security and welfare, required serious and timely attention. He congratulated the newly elected office-bearers and expressed hope that they would effectively represent the media community and work for the protection of its rights.
Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil said the government recognised the contributions of journalists and media workers to the country’s media industry.
He announced that the Prime Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme for Journalists and Media Workers would be launched soon, adding that the new scheme would be introduced in an improved form.
He said the doors of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting remained open to journalists and media workers, emphasising the need for collective efforts to promote the growth and development of the media industry.
Principal Information Officer Raeesa Adil said journalists and media workers performed an important professional service and that sustained coordination between media organisations, representative bodies and relevant government institutions was essential to resolving their problems.
She expressed confidence that the newly elected APNEC office-bearers would continue working for the welfare of media professionals and the protection of their legitimate rights.
APNEC Chairman Muhammad Siddiq Anzar said protecting the rights and welfare of journalists and media workers was among the fundamental responsibilities of representative organisations. He observed that media workers continued to discharge their professional duties despite numerous challenges and deserved better working conditions and economic security.
He called for greater unity and cooperation among journalist organisations to raise workers’ concerns effectively at relevant forums.
National Press Club President Abdul Razzaq Sial, NPC Secretary Dr Furqan Rao, APNEC Gilgit-Baltistan Chapter Chairperson Mahwish Mumtaz Baig and Media Workers Organisation President Kaleem Shamim also addressed the ceremony.
Mr Shamim said the stability of media institutions depended on recognising the rights, financial security and professional development of their employees. He urged media organisations to strengthen coordination and pursue collective efforts to resolve workers’ issues.
Mahwish Mumtaz Baig thanked the guests and participants, saying APNEC’s Gilgit-Baltistan chapter was committed to protecting the rights of journalists and media workers in the region and addressing their organisational and professional concerns.
Other speakers, including senior journalists Tariq Usmani, Dr Saadia Kamal, Fourth Pillar President Farooq Mirza, Qurban Satti, Muhammad Fayyaz Chaudhry, Farhat Fatima, Imran Akbar and Raja Javed, also highlighted the need for unity, institutional cooperation and effective welfare measures for media professionals.
A large number of journalists and media workers attended the ceremony.
The event concluded with congratulations to the newly elected office-bearers and a renewed commitment to strengthening APNEC’s organisational role and promoting the welfare and rights of journalists and media workers.
